Bolton MP: 'We are right to close Post Offices' (From The Bolton News)

Bolton MP: 'We are right to close Post Offices'

1:03pm Friday 21st March 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

BOLTON North-East MP David Crausby has defended his decision to vote for the controversial closure of more than 2,500 Post Offices.

Mr Crausby said the programme of closures was necessary to ensure the survival of the business.

The Government narrowly avoided an embarrassing defeat in the Commons this week over their plans to close the Post Offices. Labour's majority was reduced to just 20, with Lib Dems and Tories voting together.

The first wave of Post Office closures has been announced across the country, those facing the axe in Greater Manchester due to be announced in June.

Deborah Dunlevy, prospective parliamentary candidate for Bolton North-east, said: "We know which Labour Ministers and MPs are against Post Office closures.

"I am very disappointed that David Crausby MP voted for Post Office closures in Bolton North East. The people of Bolton rely on not only the precious services they offer, but in many places the vital part of the community they play. Not everybody is able to travel three miles to access one.

"We should be helping the Post Offices offer more services rather than closing them down."

But Mr Crausby said the Labour Party would commit £1.7 billion to the business.

He also said he would fight to keep local Post Offices open if they served a need in the community.

Mr Crausby said: "Leaving the Post Office to market forces would lead to the closure of more branches. The Conservatives want to suspend the programme of Post Office closures but won't commit any money.

"Under their proposal 10,000 branches would close."

He added: "The post office network does serve an important need but cannot survive in its current form. We need to have a look at the network and for example cannot have a two close to each other. If I disagree with a closure I will fight it."

Mr Crausby said a way to ensure the viability of the Post Office was for the public to use them.

Mrs Dunlevy said that, under the Conservatives, services, such as buying a television licence, would be reinstated.

She said: "Mr Crausby cannot fight to keep a post office open once he has voted for the programme."